"Sunderland are fourth in the Premier League table after 10 matches this season, catching all and sundry by surprise. The Black Cats were promoted via the Championship play-offs last season, defeating Sheffield United in stoppage time at Wembley Stadium, after finishing 24 points behind automatically promoted pair Leeds United and Burnley. Since then, the club have recruited aggressively, adding talent from across Europe to supplement a squad that looked understaffed for a Premier League survival bid."
"One such arrival was that of ex-Arsenal man Granit Xhaka who swapped Bayer Leverkusen for the Stadium of Light. The experienced Swiss international was immediately named Sunderland captain. It is a move - and a decision - which looks to have paid dividends already with Sunderland now very unlikely to be relegated, therefore guaranteeing the club in excess of 100m in broadcast revenue for another season in the top flight."
Sunderland sit fourth in the Premier League after 10 matches despite promotion via the Championship play-offs last season. The club finished 24 points behind automatic promotion places before winning the play-offs. Sunderland recruited heavily across Europe to strengthen a squad that previously appeared understaffed for top‑flight survival. A relatively low wage bill and no legacy PSR issues allowed spending of upwards of 170 million, effectively rebuilding the team. Granit Xhaka arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, was named captain and reportedly became the club's highest earner on a three‑year deal, with transfer fees and a salary around 100,000 per week.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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